Join us for this unique exploration of the Balkans which combines a cruise along Croatia’s spectacular coastline with its intense blue sea and amazingly picturesque islands with visits to both Bosnia-Herzegovina and Slovenia. This region has much to offer the genuine traveller and our cruise itinerary has been carefully designed to visit some marvellous places which do not cater for the big ships and each night we remain moored in the picturesque harbours affording the opportunity to dine ashore on some evenings, enjoying the floodlit splendour and lively café society which is so atmospheric.
We will explore Medieval towns and cities, impressive monasteries and UNESCO World Heritage Sites including the magnificent old town of Dubrovnik, the charming islands of Korcula and Rab, the dramatic waterfalls of Krka and the pretty island of Brac. We will also visit the historic cities of Zadar and Split with their history dating back to Roman times and spend a day in Croatia’s lesser-visited neighbour Bosnia-Herzegovina where we will discover the historic city of Mostar. Finally, after our cruise aboard the 36-passenger Queen Eleganza, we have the benefit of a two night hotel stay in Slovenia allowing us time to discover the beautiful cobalt-blue Lake Bled with its tiny castle-topped island in the middle and the largest underground cave system in Europe at Postojna.
Queen Eleganza
For our cruises along the Adriatic coast, we are delighted to have chartered the Queen Eleganza which was launched in April 2018. Beautifully crafted by Croatian hands, this is one of the finest Croatian flagged vessels of her kind and, with a maximum of just 36 guests, there is the added benefit of a relaxed and informal atmosphere on board. The team of friendly Croatian crew members all speak English and their excellent service and hospitality will do much to add to your enjoyment. Meals served on board have a home-cooked feel and feature wholesome, fresh and tasty Mediterranean cuisine and, when dining ashore independently, your knowledgeable Cruise Director will recommend popular local restaurants. This is the perfect ship to escape the formalities of larger vessels and enjoy the casual nature of small ship cruising along the most beautiful of coastlines.
Itinerary
Day 1 London Gatwick to Dubrovnik, Croatia.
Fly by scheduled flight. On arrival transfer to the Queen Eleganza. Enjoy the welcome dinner on board this evening as we moor overnight. (D)
Day 2 Dubrovnik & Korcula.
Spend the morning in Dubrovnik, the ‘Pearl of the Adriatic’. After a short drive to Pile Gate, we will begin our guided walk through the unique Medieval Old Town of Dubrovnik which was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1979. See the major attractions such as the Rector’s Palace, the Romanesque-Gothic Dominican and Franciscan Monasteries and the Sponza Palace. Return to the vessel for lunch as we set sail. In the late afternoon we arrive in Korcula, the reputed birthplace of the explorer Marco Polo, where we will enjoy some time to walk along the crooked Medieval streets to the elegant squares which are flanked with palaces of the old nobility. We will be moored overnight in Korcula and you will be able to dine ashore independently in the Old Town this evening. (B, L)
Day 3 Korcula & Opuzen.
After breakfast we will drive to the interior of the island, past olive groves and vineyards offering views down to the coast below. During our visit to a winery we will learn more about the mainly white wines, which have been cultivated on the island for centuries before enjoying a tasting. Return to the ship for lunch and enjoy a relaxing afternoon at sea as we sail to Opuzen, located 12 kilometres from the coast on the Neretva River, where we moor overnight allowing for the opportunity to dine ashore independently this evening. (B, L)
Day 4 Mostar, Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Today we cross the border into Bosnia-Herzegovina for our visit to Mostar. In the 15th century, Mostar became a thriving centre on the banks of the emerald Neretva River under the Ottoman Turks. Damaged by the military conflict in the 1990s, the town has been carefully restored by UNESCO and declared a World Heritage Site. Admire the ethereally graceful Stari Most (‘The Old Bridge’), originally built in 1566, the nearby Koski Mehmed Pasha Mosque and an old Turkish house, among other sites. You may also wish to explore the old bazaar independently, a haven for the city’s artists and craftsmen. Return to the ship in Opuzen this evening. (B, L, D)
Day 5 Brac, Croatia.
Sail this morning for Brac and the attractive port of Pucisca located at the end of a long bay. Brac is world renowned for the quality of its stone which was used for the Diocletian’s Palace in Split as well as the White House in Washington and other parliament buildings in Europe. Spend a few hours in the charming small town, voted one of the prettiest in Europe, where the white roofs of the buildings create an ambient atmosphere. Later we sail the short distance to Split where we moor overnight and have the opportunity to dine ashore. (B, L)
Day 6 Split & Sibenik.
Our morning guided walk through Split includes the Palace of Diocletian which was built by the emperor in 295-305 AD as his retirement villa. Much of this large building is well preserved and the palace contains Split’s Old Town within its walls, making it the only Roman palace that has been continuously inhabited since Roman times. It is a wonderful spot to wander the maze of street. Over lunch we will sail to Sibenik where we enjoy a late afternoon walking tour through the historic town seeing the Cathedral of St James, the old city walls, and the theatre before dining onboard. (B, L, D)
Day 7 Krka National Park.
From our berth in Sibenik we visit the majestic waterfalls of Krka. Enjoy a morning guided walk along wooden walkways and across bridges through this unique fjord like landscape with its multiple waterfalls and interesting flora and fauna. Return to the ship for lunch and enjoy a leisurely afternoon on board sailing through the Kornati Islands as we make our way to Zadar for an overnight mooring and the opportunity to dine ashore independently this evening. (B, L)
Day 8 Zadar.
Once a dominant city on the Adriatic coast rivalling Venice, Zadar is today a treasured city that has preserved its historical core. During our guided walking tour we will stroll around the old town with its Roman columns and portals, Romanesque churches and Renaissance and Baroque palaces. Of particular interest are the 9th century circular Church of St Donat, and the 13th century Romanesque cathedral. This afternoon we continue our journey north as we sail to Rab where we moor overnight and have the chance to sample one of the many local restaurants. (B, L)
Day 9 Rab.
This morning we will take a guided walk through the picturesque Old Town, a perfectly preserved late Medieval Adriatic settlement squeezed into a slender peninsula along which are dotted a sequence of Romanesque campaniles. After a final afternoon at sea we arrive in Opatija and will take a walk around this genteel resort before our farewell dinner on board this evening. (B, L, D)
Day 10 Opatija to Lake Bled, Slovenia.
Disembark this morning as we make our way to Slovenia. We will drive through the Karst region, known for its rich natural habitat. The Postojna Cave is a 21 kilometre long karst cave system, a web of underground passages, galleries and chambers, the biggest in Europe. There is almost no corner in the cave without a beautiful stalactite or stalagmite. The cave boasts the oldest underground train in the world, which we will use to partly explore this underground jewel but the two kilometres of its most attractive part is taken on foot allowing us to slowly take in the many natural and unusual wonders of the darkness. After lunch we continue to our hotel in Lake Bled where after some free time we will meet for dinner in the hotel. (B, L, D)
Day 11 Lake Bled.
Using the local ‘pletna’ boats, this morning we will cruise the lake and make our way to Blejski Otok, an island situated in the middle of the lake where we will visit the Chapel of Santa Maria. Returning to the lakeside we will make our way to Bled Castle located high on the rock face above the lake, protecting the town since 1004. We end our visit at the picturesque old town of Radovljica, one of the best-preserved towns in Slovenia with houses dating back to the 15th century. After lunch in the town we will return to the hotel in Lake Bled for an afternoon at leisure. Maybe take the walking track around the lake for further views or relax and enjoy the hotel facilities. We will meet for dinner tonight in the hotel. (B, L, D)
Day 12 Lake Bled to London Gatwick.
After breakfast in the hotel we will check out and transfer to Ljubljana airport for our scheduled flight to London Gatwick. (B)
Dates and Prices
25 April to 6 May 2025 | ||
---|---|---|
Category | Brochure Price | Special Offer Price |
1 Twin/Double cabin on the Lower Deck | £4595 | £4295 |
2 Twin Cabin on the Main Deck | Fully Booked | Fully Booked |
3 Twin Cabin on the Main Deck | Fully Booked | Fully Booked |
4 Twin/Double cabin on the Main Deck | Fully Booked | Fully Booked |
5 Double cabin on the Main Deck | Fully Booked | Fully Booked |
6 Double cabin on the Lower Deck for sole use | Fully Booked | Fully Booked |
Tour Reference Code: SCQE2504025
PRICE INCLUDES: Economy class scheduled air travel • Nine nights aboard the Queen Eleganza • Meals as indicated (B-Breakfast, L-Lunch, D-Dinner) • Wine, beer & soft drinks with included lunches and dinners • Two nights hotel accommodation in Lake Bled • Shore excursions • Noble Caledonia Cruise Director aboard the Queen Eleganza • Noble Caledonia Tour Manager in Lake Bled • Gratuities • Transfers • Port taxes • Airport taxes.
Not Included: Travel insurance.
Queen Eleganza
For our cruises along the Adriatic coast, we are delighted to have chartered the Queen Eleganza which was launched in April 2018. Beautifully crafted by Croatian hands, this is one of the finest Croatian flagged vessels of her kind and, with a maximum of just 36 guests, there is the added benefit of a relaxed and informal atmosphere on board. The team of friendly Croatian crew members all speak English and their excellent service and hospitality will do much to add to your enjoyment. Meals served on board have a home-cooked feel and feature wholesome, fresh and tasty Mediterranean cuisine and, when dining ashore independently, your knowledgeable Cruise Director will recommend popular local restaurants. This is the perfect ship to escape the formalities of larger vessels and enjoy the casual nature of small ship cruising along the most beautiful of coastlines.
Videos
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Itinerary at a glance
- Ljubljana / Bled / Radovljica / Lipica / Stanjel / Rinka Waterfall / Mozirski Gaj / Logarska Valley
Balkan Explorer
From Venice to Istanbul aboard the Golden Eagle Danube Express
Golden Eagle Danube Express
Itinerary at a glance
- Venice / Trieste / Postojna / Ljubljana / Sarajevo / Mostar / Belgrade / Bar / Podgorica / Skopje / Sofia / Plovdiv / Istanbul
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